This week marks half way through the school session. Teachers have been focusing on the breadth of curricular experience for learners and engaging more widely with learning outwith school. During the first half of the session, P1 pupils have enjoyed visits into Glasgow using public transport, P6 pupils visited the theatre to hear the BBC Symphony Orchestra. We organised a whole school theatre visit, P6-7 author visit and visits to the library / bookshop. This week, Primary 4 visited King’s Theatre to enjoy a performance of Billionaire Boy and Primary 5 launched the ‘Clyde in the Classroom’ project with a visit to Glasgow Science Centre. We continue to try and balance the range of experiences offered to pupils whilst being very mindful of the cost to parents.
Infant enrolment and classes for next session
We welcomed many new and familiar faces to school last week to register for Primary One. Families who live within the catchment are automatically allocated a place at Heathery Knowe Primary School. The next process is for South Lanarkshire Council to review all placing requests. Once this process is completed, we will be aware of the intake of Primary One pupils to Heathery Knowe PS in August 2020. Once the intake is confirmed then the structure of the other classes is reviewed in terms of the number of classes overall, size of classes and number of composite classes required.
Cost of the School Day
This session we are auditing how much money we are asking parents for to support school experiences and events. For each class there is an ongoing record of the costs of excursions and school events and this information will be collated and shared in the summer term. It will be used as part of the ‘Cost of the School Day’ review to ensure that we continue to reduce the costs associated with attending school.
You can find more information about the Scottish Government’s commitment to this using the link below:
Money Matters
South Lanarkshire Head Teachers had the opportunity to hear a presentation from ‘Money Matters’ at the Head Teacher conference on Thursday.
Money Matters offer free, confidential and impartial advice – they can help check your benefit entitlement, assist with the claims process, challenge decisions and represent you at Social Security appeal tribunals. For debt issues they look at your financial circumstances, contact creditors, discuss options and give budgeting advice; Contact number: 0303 123 1008
The Telephone Advice Line offers a similar service specifically aimed at pregnant women and families with young children; Contact number: 01698 453154
Money Matters have agreed to treat Head Teacher referrals as a priority. If you need assistance from this service, please speak with a member of the leadership team and we can organise this for you. The only information the school needs to make the referral is the reason for the referral (broadly debt advice, benefits advice etc) and permission to contact Money Matters on your behalf.
We are able to organise an information session in school. If you would be interested in attending, please complete the survey link below:
https://forms.gle/YyzS88R4JeEXxy8z7
Provision of personal hygiene products in school
The school offers a range of sanitary products in school for any pupils or adults who require them. Sanitary products are available in the downstairs toilet in the foyer and in the senior female toilets. Pupils are welcome to take additional provisions home during school holidays. If any adults or older siblings require additional products for holidays, we can make them available.
We are working towards making a wider range of personal hygiene products available to pupils who may not be able to purchase them at home. If you are able to make a donation of shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste or toothbrushes, we would be very grateful. The products will be made available to children and families who would otherwise be unable to afford these items regularly.
What’s on next week?
Tuesday – Primary 4 Room 6 are visiting EK library
Tuesday – Miss Jack (Student Teacher) starting in Room 9
Wednesday – Teacher meeting after school
Friday – Scottish Assembly
Friday – Head Teacher attending Columba 1400 Leadership Academy
Thank you for your continued support
Kind regards
Kirsty Duff
